Method and apparatus for conditioning stalk-containing crop

Abstract

In a method of conditioning crop which is continuously processed by means of movable tools of at least one driven tool carrier, the components of the crop are introduced into spaces between the movable tools of the same tool carrier before at least the stalks are squeezed by the tools by narrowing the interspaces, and the components are subsequently discharged by increasing the interspaces again. In the apparatus for carrying out the method, tools (W) are elongated and shaped in the form of rods, fingers or bristles and are arranged on tool carrier (T) with interspaces (Z) approximately in parallel with each other and at a predetermined adjusted density (G1) at which transverse distances (a1) of at least stalk thickness (d) exist between adjacent tools (W). Furthermore, means are provided for introducing components (B) of crop (E) into interspaces (Z), and, finally, there is provided a mechanical device for at least temporarily increasing the adjusted density of tools (W) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction thereof to a degree at which spacings (a2) between the tools are smaller than stalk thickness (d).

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of conditioning stalk-containing crop, such as grass or alfalfa, wherein the crop is continuously processed comprising, introducing stalks into a conditioning zone, providing said conditioning zone with conditioning tools, providing a plurality of interspaces formed through said conditioning tools, each of said interspaces providing a receiving zone, a squeezing zone and an ejection zone, introducing said stalks into said interspaces in the receiving zone, squeezing said stalks between adjacent conditioner tools in said squeezing zone without substantial abrasion until the stalks are ruptured in a longitudinal direction, and delivering the ruptured stalks to said ejection zone to discharge said ruptured stalks. 
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1 said stalks are introduced into said stalk receiving zone interspaces in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of flow of said stalks, and that said stalks are squeezed in said squeezing zone in the direction of flow and/or in a direction transverse to said direction of flow between the longitudinal sides of said tools. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the spaces of the receiving zone are spaced apart from each other at a thickness corresponding approximately to the thickness of a stalk for obtaining said predetermined density, and that in the squeezing zone transverse distances between adjacent tools are reduced to less than a thickness of said stalk. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said crop is received in the form of a swath and continuously processed, introducing component of said swath into the interspaces between the tools of the same tool carrier, squeezing the stalks substantially individually in said squeezing zone by decreasing the interspaces between said tools, and subsequently discharging the stalks after said interspaces have been increased. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the stalks are squeezed more than once during one crop flow and discharged and re-introduced again to the squeezing zone operations. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 3 wherein the density is continuously increased and decreased during crop flow. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the density within groups of squeezing zones is respectively increased and decreased. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for conditioning stalk-containing crop, such as grass or alfalfa, comprising at least one tool carrier for carrying a plurality of tools, said tool carrier being driven to effect crop flow and processing said crop with the aid of said tools during crop flow, said tools are elongated and shaped in the form of rods, fingers or bristles and are arranged on said tool carrier to define interspaces between adjacent tools, said interspaces being approximately parallel with each other and providing predetermined density at which transverse distances (Q1) of at least stalk thickness (d) exist between adjacent tools (W), means for introducing stalks of said crop into said interspaces between said tools, and means connected to said tools for at least temporarily increasing the density of said tools by movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of said tools to reduce the transverse distances such that the interspaces are smaller than said thickness of said stalks. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said tools are approximately as thick as said stalks of said crop. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said tools are resilient bristles of a brush roller and said stalks pass between said bristles and do not contact the ends of said bristles. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the flexural strength of said tools is higher than the squeeze resistance of said stalks. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the cross section of said tools has a contour without edges. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus according to claim 10, comprising at least one rotating counter-roller, said counter-roller having a plurality of projecting displacement elements, said counter roller positioned to have said displacement elements hold free ends of a group of said bristles of said brush roller and increase the density of said bristles in each group at least temporarily. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that said displacement elements (15) are teeth, ribs, combs, webs, threads, projections or the like of said counter-roller (11) which are optionally movably arranged on said counter-roller (11). 
     
     
       15. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the circumferential speed of the free bristle ends is considerably higher than the supply rate of said crop or the operational driving speed of said counter-roller. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said brush roller serves as a pick-up device and as a swath disintegrating device, and that the conditioned stalks can be ejected from said interspaces by centrifugal force. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least one swath disintegrating roller is provided in the direction of rotation of said brush roller in front of said counter-roller for introducing the stalks into said interspaces between said bristles of said brush roller. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the circumferential speeds of said brush roller and said counter-roller are different, the circumferential speed of said brush roller being preferably higher than the circumferential speed of said counter-roller. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said brush roller and said counter-roller rotate in the same direction or in opposite direction within the mutual engagement area. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the outer diameters of said brush roller and counter-roller are different. 
     
     
       21. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein groups of bristles are spaced apart to provide preshaped gaps on said brush roller in a circumferential direction, and said displacement elements are aligned relative to said preshaped gaps.